IN an order issued in late August that took effect this Monday, all individuals that come to the Baguio City Hall are now prohibited from using or otherwise bringing any single-use plastics into its premises.
Memorandum 66-2023, which applies to all employees, service providers, store concessionaires, food caterers, and even visitors that enter the city hall, was issued in line with the 2017 city ordinance that prohibits all business establishments from providing customers with plastic bags or polystyrene foam containers “for goods or items purchased or serve food or drink, take out or dine in, to customers in polystyrene containers or plastic bags.”
The same ordinance mandates all city government schools and offices to maintain a “No Plastic Bag, No Styrofoam” policy in their office or school premises, including during government-sponsored events and functions.
According to Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the city is looking to test and hone the total ban on all single-use plastic in the city hall before implementing it elsewhere in the city.
Under the 2017 city ordinance, considered as single-use plastic items are plastic cups and bottles, disposable cutlery and plates, food containers, meal boxes, plastic straws, plastic stirrers, “Styrofoam” containers and plastic sauce containers.
In place of these, alternative and eco-friendly options such as reusable or washable bottles, plates, food containers, cups, utensils, biodegradable or compostable packing and other sustainable alternatives should be used.
